Summary

The earthwork and buried remains of a motte and bailey castle, with associated features.

Source: Historic England

Details

PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS
The monument includes a motte and bailey castle with associated features situated on relatively flat ground west of the Church of St Michael.

DESCRIPTION
The motte survives as an oval mound about 56 metres across at its greatest extent, and approximately 6 metres high. It is surrounded by a wide ditch, with separate baileys to the north and east. Partially-buried stone foundations of a shell keep are said to have been visible in the past.

The northern bailey is roughly semi-circular in form and is approximately 110 metres long at its greatest extent. It is divided from the eastern bailey, of approximately 95 metres and more irregular in shape, by a transverse ditch. Beyond the eastern bailey is a further enclosure, with a wide ditch clearly visible to the south and east, and one to the north visible in aerial photographs. Some ridge and furrow has also been identified within this area.

To the west of the southern bailey and across the stream is a rectangular sunken area, which may have been a fishpond.

EXCLUSIONS
All modern tarmac paths, railings, gates and fence posts are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath them is included.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Kingsland Castle, a motte and bailey castle with associated features, is scheduled for the following principal reasons:
* Survival: the castle survives well with a prominent motte, two large baileys, a further bailey and a possible fishpond, comprising a highly significant site which is likely to contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its history, construction, use and development;
* Potential: the monument has clear potential for the discovery of nationally important undisturbed archaeological deposits;
* Group value: the site has strong group value with the adjacent Grade I listed Church of St Michael, which retains C13 fabric.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Websites
Herefordshire Through Time, Historic Environment Record number 340, accessed 24.07.16 from http://htt.herefordshire.gov.uk/herefordshires-past/the-medieval-period/castles/gazetteer-of-herefordshire-castles/parishes-k/kingsland-castle/
Pastscape Monument number 108522, accessed 25.07.16 from https://pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=108522
Other
Historic England, Introduction to Heritage Assets: Earthwork Castles (May 2011)

Source: Historic England